Why is there still such a fuss over Idris Elba as Heimdall?

[Jager X]

I am glad to see that most of you are able to overlook Elba's origins. Perhaps the issue stems not just from the fact that Elba is "black" (a vague term) but that he is of clear African heritage (one parent from Ghana and one from Sierra Leone). If it were a black American, then perhaps there would not be as much room to fuss. After all, most black Americans (not those who recently emigrated) have white ancestry in the range of 20-30% on average. Still, I think the man was a fantastic choice for the role. He sounded more authoritative and intimidating than Thor, and that says a lot.

Naaaah, you're just looking to deep into to it. It would not have mattered where is origins lied, be it purely from Africa or the mixed races of the States, he would been met with the same hostility. Despite all that, he did an amazing job.

 

[Bren]

Idris Elba was fabulous as Heimdall.

All those who oppose Elba as Heimdall are just old fashioned racists, disguising their agenda in the form of acceptable sounding catch words such as "culture", "tradition", and "heritage".

So next time you see some one say, "I'm not a racist but I don't like Elba as Heimdall" because I am protective of "tradition", "culture", or "heritage", you will know what they really mean, which is "I am a racist but don't want to be labeled as one, so I'll use these nice words so you won't see where I'm coming from".

Marvel's Thor is a product of the sci-fi fantasies of two Jewish boys from New York, who were inspired by Norse myths; it is not and never was meant to be a direct adaptation of the myths that provided that inspiration.

You sound like some politicians from the ruling party in my country. They call racism on everything! And only their opinion counts t:.

Your opinion makes me a reformed racist then. Good to know.

 

[jmc]

Why is this even an issue? Is it essential his character be white? Nope. Move on.

 

[Franklin Richards]

Idris Elba was fabulous as Heimdall.

All those who oppose Elba as Heimdall are just old fashioned racists, disguising their agenda in the form of acceptable sounding catch words such as "culture", "tradition", and "heritage".

So next time you see some one say, "I'm not a racist but I don't like Elba as Heimdall" because I am protective of "tradition", "culture", or "heritage", you will know what they really mean, which is "I am a racist but don't want to be labeled as one, so I'll use these nice words so you won't see where I'm coming from".

Marvel's Thor is a product of the sci-fi fantasies of two Jewish boys from New York, who were inspired by Norse myths; it is not and never was meant to be a direct adaptation of the myths that provided that inspiration.

Forgive me, Vartha. I must address these.


Ya got me, Sabaoth. You figured out our secret code. Curses!

Freud once said, and I'm paraphrasing, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." Meaning that not everything has subtext or hidden meaning. There is no hidden agenda to my wanting Heimdall to appear the way he has for 60 years. Not even counting the myths. Just the story that those two Jews from New York made up.

Now do me a favor and stop trying to psychoanalyze me and take my word for it. It's because he doesn't LOOK like Heimdall. I would have complained if he were wielding a gun too. Or if he were female. Or three armed. Or blue.

You gettin' this? But thanks for judging me and seeing through the "code".

Very well put. Elba's performance was dope and stuck out more than other characters with more screen time, and I'm not just saying that because I'm black. Brannagh was right in casting him. Heimdall as a character has a very important and significant presence in the Asgardian world and comic lore. Thus, having a character that could pull it off effortlessly was key. Plus, dude was huge compared to other characters second only to Thor and the Ice Giants.

I mean I don't know about any of ya'll but I would think twice before crossing that gate if some giant black dude with crazy eyes was holding a giant sword, a la Mighty Max.

Well put? You agree that I'm racist? Nice. Well I think you're Uncle Tom if you don't see the way Elba is being used as the minstrel in this sci-fi flick. Black man can be a door man but he can't stay in the house with all the white people in the Royal Family? This is nothing but "tokenism" and Heimdall is the Lando Calrissian of Thor.

See? I can jump to conclusions too.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

 

[The Morningstar]

There was black people in the palace

 

[Vartha]

I gotta find those old Asgardian Mall drawings of Kirby's. I SWEAR they had Black, and Asian's in the background.

 

[Franklin Richards]

Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[Vartha]

Forgive me, Vartha. I must address these.


Ya got me, Sabaoth. You figured out our secret code. Curses!

Freud once said, and I'm paraphrasing, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." Meaning that not everything has subtext or hidden meaning. There is no hidden agenda to my wanting Heimdall to appear the way he has for 60 years. Not even counting the myths. Just the story that those two Jews from New York made up.

Now do me a favor and stop trying to psychoanalyze me and take my word for it. It's because he doesn't LOOK like Heimdall. I would have complained if he were wielding a gun too. Or if he were female. Or three armed. Or blue.

You gettin' this? But thanks for judging me and seeing through the "code".



Well put? You agree that I'm racist? Nice. Well I think you're Uncle Tom if you don't see the way Elba is being used as the minstrel in this sci-fi flick. Black man can be a door man but he can't stay in the house with all the white people in the Royal Family? This is nothing but "tokenism" and Heimdall is the Lando Calrissian of Thor.

See? I can jump to conclusions too.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

As long as you keep it nice I'm fine with it.
I know to you it's like the nit pickers and Things Brow.
By the way.....Walt liked Elba's Hiemdall, posted his quote in the preview thread.

 

[Vartha]

Pics or it didn't happen.

heh I'd come up with them and you'd say it was the colorist! lol

 

[Franklin Richards]

As long as you keep it nice I'm fine with it.
I know to you it's like the nit pickers and Things Brow.
By the way.....Walt liked Elba's Hiemdall, posted his quote in the preview thread.

Sweet!

Hey, I loved seeing my second favorite Asgardian being portrayed by a total badass!

 

[Vartha]

I'm still curious if Balder was actually THERE and we didn't see him. The Guards all had similar helmets.

 

[Arach Knight]

Naaaah, you're just looking to deep into to it. It would not have mattered where is origins lied, be it purely from Africa or the mixed races of the States, he would been met with the same hostility. Despite all that, he did an amazing job.

I am simply trying to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Why is this even an issue? Is it essential his character be white? Nope. Move on.

Race is a non-factor given that the characters in this story are all from Asgard and are above the idea of separate race. But that is the logical view. Those who hold prejudice in their heart are likely to choose any theater for their war on intelligent people. With that said, it is a valid issue for those concerned with the aesthetics. I have seen people on these forums argue that the bat-armor in all of the Batman films is a terrible choice and that they would rather see the blue and gray costume. To be fair, I think there are people that feel the same way about Heimdall's aesthetic in this film.

The problem may stem from the fact that loud mouth racist organizations have linked this to culture and the preservation of "whiteness." After giving it some thought, there was no where near this much fury over Michael Clark Duncan taking on the role of the Kingpin. And those who complained about it were not viewed as racists. They simply wanted accuracy to the source material. For those who share that mindset, I can understand their complaint.

Well put? You agree that I'm racist? Nice. Well I think you're Uncle Tom if you don't see the way Elba is being used as the minstrel in this sci-fi flick. Black man can be a door man but he can't stay in the house with all the white people in the Royal Family? This is nothing but "tokenism" and Heimdall is the Lando Calrissian of Thor.

See? I can jump to conclusions too.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

I was almost about to tell you to tone it down, but I see that you are going for hyperbole for dramatic effect. I can also see that your statements are in jest.

I just want everyone to please be mindful of the need to not disrespect other posters, simply because you do not share their view. No one should be attacking any poster as a person. If you must attack something, attack their ideas. That is what we are here to discuss.

 

[DarknessOfDeath]

So last night i was on the wikipedia and read that Heimdall is the brother to Sif...but in the movie, he's black (not that I have a problem with it). I don't remember if there was an indication in the movie that they are related but after reading that they are in the comics, I was like...hmm. ok. lol.

Im new to the world of Thor.

 

[Arach Knight]

If Loki and Thor can be brothers (even though Loki is a Frost Giant), then why not Sif and Heimdall? Though, it bears consideration that Sif and Heimdall may not be related in the Marvel version. No one here has really clarified that, and I do not read enough Thor comics to know the extent of all of the familial relations.

 

[DarknessOfDeath]

But hey, he was pretty cool. When Loki froze him, for a moment I thought 'oh man how are Thor, Sif and the Warriors III gonna get back to Asgard?'

 

[Vartha]

No there wasn't any mention at all of them being related.
ONE story has Sif as Heimdall's DAUGHTER.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Well, I dont really know the myth's, etc but I thought Elba was great as Heimdall, his voice was superb and after what Loki said I am curious, is Heimdall in the same league as Thor and Odin?

 

[Vartha]

Actually the story of Sif being Heimdall's daughter was in the Hulk vs Thor movie I think.

 

[Midnight Black]

Okay, see now you lost me. At first I thought you were saying that you applaud his performance, and that those that do not must have a problem with him playing a white character. Now you are saying that I'm calling you a racist and I or he an Uncle Tom. So with that I won't even begin to debate this, no use.

However, I will say that there is a thin line between "Lando" "Token" and "Door servant" and being the only non-caucasian actor/character chosen based off of merit and ability. Yeah, he was a "door man" in a way, but I looked at him more a the guardian, gate keeper that had a very, Very, VERY important role in the film. So why you snicker at the "minor" roles that blacks have to take or are given, I applaud the fact that there are blacks willing and able to take roles paving the way for the blacks and other minorities after them that are able/given more work because of pioneers.

Yeah, it sucks that that is the road we have to take, but someone has to so that others can take an easier path to the same direction.

 

[Vartha]

Well, I dont really know the myth's, etc but I thought Elba was great as Heimdall, his voice was superb and after what Loki said I am curious, is Heimdall in the same league as Thor and Odin?

No he's not, just one of the many superior warriors. The Tales of Asgard Origin had three different warriors compete to be the Bifrost guardian, Heimdall won.

 

[Raiden]

I have to say that at first I was a bit skeptical about the casting of Elba as Heimdall, not because he's black but because I'm not sure how they were going to explain his relationship with Sif, since she is supposed to be his daughter. However, after watching the movie I thought Elba did an amazing job as the guardian of Bifrost, and he made all his scenes memorable. I'll looking forward to see more Heimdall in Thor 2.

 

[Vartha]

I have to say that at first I was a bit skeptical about the casting of Elba as Heimdall, not because he's black but because I'm not sure how they were going to explain his relationship with Sif, since she is supposed to be his daughter. However, after watching the movie I thought Elba did an amazing job as the guardian of Bifrost, and he made all his scenes memorable. I'll looking forward to see more Heimdall in Thor 2.

Well there's different variations of WHO is related to Sif. The comics have it one way, and the ONLY place Hiemdall is Sif's Dad was in the Hulk versus Thor animated movie.

Heck in MYTH Heimdall is said to have I think NINE MOTHERS. The Most that's known about Sif is that she's a fertility Goddess, and she has a SON named ULL (god of Skiing and bow and arrows) from someone OTHER THAN Thor before they were married.

 

[BigThor]

No he's not, just one of the many superior warriors. The Tales of Asgard Origin had three different warriors compete to be the Bifrost guardian, Heimdall won.

I hope he get's more action in Thor 2, because I'd love to see him shooting cosmic flames from his sword at some point like he does in the comics.

 

[Vartha]

Yeah we have yet to see how awesome his powers can be.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

No he's not, just one of the many superior warriors. The Tales of Asgard Origin had three different warriors compete to be the Bifrost guardian, Heimdall won.

Ah right, its just when Loki asked has Odin ever had reason to fear Heimdall and he simply answered no, because he obey's his king, it made think Heimdall could challenge Odin and Thor if he wanted to.